The one thing you should not do when visiting a plant nursery or garden center is to try to design the planting scheme. The decision as to which species should go where should have been made long before arriving at the nursery. Impulse buying may be fine in a gift shop or at the supermarket, but could be disastrous when it comes to the garden. The only decision that should be made in the garden center concerns the quality of the plants in the pots. What then constitutes a good plant, and what should you be looking to avoid?
*The first point to consider is whether there is a reasonable balance between the size of the plant and the volume of its pot. A specimen that is top-heavy is liable to have a knotted, tangled root system that might not grow out into the soil after planting. So don't be over impressed by a handsome looking plant growing in a disproportionately small container.
*Conversely, a small plant sitting in a relatively large container is also undesirable, because the potting medium could lack sufficient air. If such conditions are prolonged, the roots might be unhealthy and even starting to rot. Ideally therefore, the root system should comfortably fill the volume of the plant's container.
*The best time to choose tree and shrub specimens is when they are bare rooted, because one has the opportunity to study the plant's root system. Look for specimens that have a number of well-spaced, unblemished roots, while avoiding like the plague, those whose roots show signs of damage, or are knotted to any degree.
Planting bare-root is only possible of course with deciduous plants and when they are out of leaf during their dormant season. For the most part we have to rely on container plants and hope for the best. For herbaceous plants, and even for shrubs and bushes, the guidelines just outlined should suffice in most cases. Trees though are another matter, and some additional considerations are necessary. Above all, be wary of two situations.
*The first is a tree specimen that has been subjected to poor pruning, with visibly large and unsightly pruning wounds. In such cases, rot may well be developing within the main branches and even the trunk. The question always arises in my mind as to what is going on in the root zone if the visible parts of the tree appear so poor!
*Secondly, avoid trees whose trunk is long and leggy, or excessively tall and thin. Such specimens tend to be particularly vulnerable in inclement weather, remaining weedy and miserable for years.
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